Telling The TRUTH
031012 Telling The Truth 28 Minute Program
[music] You're listening to "Telling the Truth" from Triple T. Christian Youth Ministries, "Telling the Truth to and Through Teenagers." Here is Triple T. Founder and President George Dumes. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear and very consistent. Listen to James 2.8, New King James Version. If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, you shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well. Loving your neighbor, doing unto others as you would have them to do unto you, is a cardinal doctrine straight from God's heart. Are you doing it? How much do you really love your neighbor? Enough to tell him or her that Jesus Christ is who he says he is, the way, the truth, and the life, that he died for them, that he was buried, that he rose again, that he will give forgiveness and give eternal life to everyone who will trust him. You shall love your neighbor as yourself, the royal law. Royal law straight from God's heart to us needs to be put into effect by us. First pray, then read and heed God's word, and then go with the gospel to those people who need the Lord. Are you willing to pray, to read, to go? Fellowship with other believers, and then together go tell people Jesus loves them. God loves you and he wants you to love others for you. Are you forthright? Are you open? Are you truly honest? James 2.9, New King James says. But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. That's strong, isn't it? But that's what God's word says. So don't show partiality. Don't treat one person one way, another differently, depending on how they look, how much they have, whatever other determination you make. Don't commit sin. If you do, you'll be convicted by the law as transgressors. God loves you and Jesus Christ died for our sins, but he wants us to stop sinning and start serving. Are you willing to do things the way God would have you to do them? Read the word of God and then do what the word of God says. Pray diligently. Pray with other believers, fellowship with them, read the word of God together and determine the strategy that you will use to communicate God's love to people who need the Lord. Will you do that? I hope you will, because if you don't, who will? And if you don't, do it now, when will you do it? Behold, the Bible says, now is accepted time. Behold, the day is the day of salvation. Do you ever point your finger at someone and say, look what he's doing. Look what she said. Listen to James, 2-10, New King James. For whoever shall keep the whole law and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. That's emphatic. That means we are all sinners and we can't keep every law perfectly. But God will forgive us when we sin. When we mess up, we need to go to him and confess those sins quickly, earnestly, honestly. And when we do that, God has promised forgiveness. If we will confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So whenever you are looking at somebody else and saying, look what he did. Look what she did. Be careful and be prayerful and ask God to help you do the right thing always and to treat other people with the utmost respect. Even those who are obviously sinners. It's okay to detest the sin, but not the sinner. Love them for Jesus' sake. No matter who they are, no matter what they've done, God loves them and he wants you to share the love of God with them. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2-13, New King James Version. Judgment without mercy is to the one who doesn't show mercy. Have you shown mercy to someone? Have you been wronged? Have you forgiven? Really forgiven? Where are you holding back? Do you have grudges? God wants us to level with Him and to ask Him to give us the mercy in our hearts that is necessary to reach out to people with the love of God. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Judge not, lest you be judged. Always look at things from a different vantage point than that that would benefit you. Will it benefit someone else? Will it do something great and gracious for others? Are you willing to share the love of God? Pray. Read the word of God. Fellowship with other believers and then go with the gospel. Someone is waiting. They're waiting for you. What are you going to do about it? Do you love them enough to tell them that Jesus really does love them immensely? Thus also faith by itself if it does not have works is dead. James 2-17, New King James. James was very emphatic about faith and works fitting together. Hand in glove. Faith without works doesn't accomplish much. Works without faith is vanity. So let's put the two together in proper perspective. Put our implicit, absolute faith in God in the Lord Jesus Christ. Understand the power and presence of the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself in you and through you to others, through your works, if your faith is intact. God wants us to work. Work for the night is coming. We have no assurance that we will be here tomorrow, but we're here now. Someone as well said, "Let's just don't sing about the sweet buy and buy. When we're living in the nasty now and now, let's do something about it. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So what will you do with what God has entrusted to you? Will you pray? Will you open the Bible and let God speak with you? Will you tell others about Jesus? It's up to you. God will not force it, but He certainly gives you opportunity. There is controversy about faith and works, but James tries to set the record straight. James 2-18, New King James says, "But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.' Again, we need balance. We need to make absolutely certain that our faith is total, that we are really trusting the Lord with all of our hearts, not trying to figure it out for ourselves. And then we need to work. Work diligently. Be a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The Bible tells us time and time again, we need to work. We need to work for God. We need to work because it is the way God intended for us to live. Don't be lazy. Don't be lackadaisical. But pick up whatever is necessary, whatever tool is there, and use it. Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry. I hope you will by putting your faith to work today. You'll be watchful in all things. Endure affliction. There are problems in our world, but God has a solution. You and I can be part of that solution by drawing night of God and sharing His love. But do you want to know, oh, foolish man, that faith without works is dead? James 2.20, New King James Version. Let's be alive in our faith. Let's do something. Let's go with the gospel. Let's penetrate the very deep darkness of our world. Let's share the light. Let's do something good and great and gracious because we love God and we love people. Last Saturday, one of our alumni sang the song, "People Need the Lord." So effectively, that it really grabbed my heart again to convince me to try to help you know that if you will teach and reach people, they will come to know Christ because people everywhere, wherever you are listening to me today, people where you are and where I am need the Lord. People need the Lord worldwide. But start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can and reach, reach, reach out to them with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray believing and then go sharing, expecting the miracle of the new birth to happen. Jesus said, "You must be born again." Has it happened to you? Then tell others how it can happen to them, one by one. Every Saturday at 7.27 PM, you are invited to attend a live youth event at Triple T, 13,000 US-41 North at Boone Building Harmony Road, midway between I-64 and Evansville Regional Airport. Every first Saturday, a good news club for those in first through fifth grades available in a separate area. For more information call 812-867-2418 or visit www.tripletchristianyouth.org. You know who Peter is? Peter the one that denied Jesus three times just before the crucifixion. But the Peter who got everything back together with the Lord and God allowed Peter to be the one that preached at Pentecost when 3,000 people came to know Christ. Peter wrote two epistles. This is the second one in the wrap-up chapter, chapter 3 of 2 Peter. I'd like you to listen to this and think about what he's saying here. And think about our world today. It almost sounds like watching the evening news today. Beloved, I now write to you the second epistle, in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder, that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the Holy Prophets and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior. Knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. For this they willingly forget that by the Word of God the heavens were of old and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now, preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some count slackness. But as long suffering toward us, not willing did any should perish, but that all should come the repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. And consider that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation, as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all of his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the scriptures. You, therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the air of the wicked, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, both now and forever, amen. Pertinent penmanship on the part of Peter. A wonderful lesson that God has provided for you and for me at this very moment in our lives. What are you doing about today? What are you doing about tomorrow? What are you going to do with the one life that God has entrusted to you? On my desk for a long, long time is a little poem, and it's remained there, ever since I graduated from college. It says this, only one life will soon be passed, only what's done for Christ will last. That's why we do what we do to reach as many people as we can, as effectively as we can, and you're invited to come and be with us tonight. We have a very special guest. His name is Tia's writer. He's one of the premier trumpeters of our time. He is absolutely fantastic, and to miss Tia's means missing one of the great ones with the horn. So come tonight at 727 to triple T, and bask in the fullness of God's glory as you listen to music that is absolutely outstanding. Last Saturday, as vans and other vehicles delivered kids, they pulled up to triple T, and excitement kept building. The cafe tiger, the 80 who attended, had banana splits ready for them at the end of the rally. Live music, videos, promo skits, interaction with three teams and their coaches, paved the way for God's message. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Seeking God's will is a very important part of life, and what we just read to you from 2 Peter chapter 3 verse 9 talks about God not being willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that her believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The next two Saturdays, tonight and next Saturday, are going to be special. It's what we call "Tiger Team Training Days." It starts at 11.30 today, goes through the rally tonight, youth being trained in peer evangelism and leadership, and adults as coaches working with youth. And next Saturday, March 17, will feature cowboy Lee and Darlene Homoke. And again, the training is available to adult coaches and peer evangelism for youth. The Hosanna Highway Construction crew comes in every Saturday at 3 o'clock, getting ready for the Hosanna Highway Production. They're planning and preparing for what's going to happen here, God willing, on April 5, 6, and 7, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before Easter. Then we're taking Project Proclaim, out from here to other places. Cowboy Lee Homoke with the Triple T Team will be at all New Illinois, God willing, at the Faith Bible Church, April 1st. April 2nd is still open. You might want to have this event where you are. And then at Scott Township, General Baptist, down the road from Triple T on April 3, and on the west side of Evansville, Howl General Baptist on April 4. Then comes April 5, 6, and 7, Hosanna Highway, right here in our building. I'm excited about what God has already done, but we're also anticipatory about what He's going to do. And we want you to be praying with us and for us because great things are happening. I really like to read, and I like to get things that are new. And I was given the opportunity of getting a book to review if I would share it with you. So the book is titled "How to Finish the Christian Life" following Jesus in the second half by George Sweeting, former president of Moody Bible Institute, former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, and his son, Donald Sweeting. Life has only just begun. There's a reason they call them life-changing events. Graduation, marriage, children, salvation. They all require us to change the way we live. However, the second half of life leaves us with the question, "What do I do now?" And how to finish the Christian life, the Sweetings, Father, and Son, also show us what it means to thrive as a believer who sees the second half of life not as over the hill but as a final victorious climb toward the mountaintop. Don looks forward to, as George, his father, looks back on, the years when a believer embraces the service of Christ with renewed focus and purpose. The gospel for the second half is staying young inside as your body ages. And then George Sweeting gives wisdom insights of an octogenarian. I didn't even know what that was until I found that it means somebody's at least 80 years old. Well, on it goes in these chapters, they're intriguing and they're interesting. One I really like is dealing with suffering and making a tiny bit of sense of it and then revise your bucket list. And what that means is, what do you want to do before you kick the bucket? Are there things that you haven't done in life that you want to do but you haven't really had the time to do it? Well, take the time to do it. Let me tell you a little secret. Listen carefully. God gives you 24 hours every day. He gives me exactly precisely the same. You know what else he does? He gives you 60 minutes in every hour. You know what else he does? He gives you 60 seconds in every minute. And did you know what? Everybody in the whole world gets precisely the same amount of time. It's what you do with what you've got that counts. So what are you going to do with the one life that God's entrusted to you? As I said a while ago, only one life will soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last. I hope that you will understand that God has a purpose for you. He has a divine design for you to accomplish that nobody else can. Have you discovered your destiny? You can, if you will, and we'd like to help you. I hope that you'll be praying and stay listening because we've got some very, very special things to share with you right away. So don't leave us. ♪ The wrap-up of the book "How to Finish the Christian Life" by George and Donald Sweating says this, "There are still two final things to stay. First, you're not dead yet. There is still more time to write the story of your life and build a legacy. Who knows how long you have? Is it one year? Is it five? Is it twenty? Is it forty? You do not know. How many days has God numbered for you? As long as you have today, make it count. Don't wait for some future day to start living for Christ. Do it now. If you belong to him, he has given all that he has done for you. So give yourself now wholeheartedly to him. Find the joy that is found in Christ today. Use what you have left for Christ in his kingdom. Preserve. Go the distance by the power of the Holy Spirit. Commit yourself today to live the rest of your life without regret. Second, as you encountered the people and culture around you, give them heaven. You've heard the opposite phrase. That's what many people give us. It is so easy to imitate them and do the same. But Jesus calls us to a better way. So give them heaven. I want to give you heaven. God wants you to have heaven. You can't earn it. You can't buy it. It's a gift. The wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life through Christ. Jesus our Lord. You're ready to receive it? Here's what you do. Say God, I've sinned and I'm sorry. Forgive me. And you turn to Jesus who died for your sins. Who was buried and who rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. So believe when the Lord Jesus Christ. And then tell others. If you confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be safe with the heart when believes to righteousness and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. I want you to have something. It's a gift from us to you. It's the New King James Bible with a triple T cover on it. And it's for you. To get yours, you can come tonight to triple T and we'll give it to you. Or you can call us. Erykod 812-867-2418. Repeat 812-867-2418. Or you can write us. TTT Christian Youth. 13,000. That's one, three, triple, zero. U.S. Highway 41 North. Evansville, Indiana. 477-25. Again I'll repeat. TTT Christian Youth Ministries. 13,000. U.S. Highway 41 North. Evansville, Indiana. 477-25. We want you to have your own personal copy of the triple T New King James Bible. And it's yours by coming to get it or by calling or by writing. We want you also to know that if you are a believer in Christ, we can have a great relationship, one with another, as you become what we call a tiger teammate. Tigers are teens involved going evangelizing regularly. And we are seeing the number of Tigers increase right now. And that's an exciting thing to see happen. We're in the midst of a thing called Mission Possible. And we have a goal to have 300 attend an average of 100 each night for three nights, April 5, 6, and 7. And the event we're calling Hosanna Highway was special guest Lee Humokey with a drama, with video, with audio, and music. And we want you to be involved with us in that. It's at 727, Thursday, Friday, Saturday before Easter, April 5, 6, and 7. And you are hereby invited. And again, if you'll contact us, we'll send you more information about this. We'll even send you some free tickets. And you can give them to friends, and you can bring as many as you want, each of those nights, or any one of the three nights. That's April 5, 6, and 7. 727 PM, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Now, I don't know who you are. We're listening today. But if you have some prayer requests, some needs, we sure would like to pray for you. Mary and I pray every day, and we start out praying for folk who have contacted us and let us know what their needs are. So if you have a need, why don't you let us know what it is? Give us a call. Area code 812-867-2418. Better still come tonight to Triple T. Hear Chiz writer with the trumpet, unbelievably professional, and yet with a heart that really reaches out to folk like you. So know that you can be a very special person if you let God lead you. Christ through you can change the world. Every Saturday at 727 PM, you are invited to attend a live youth event at Triple T, 13,000 US-41 North at Boonville and Harmony Road, midway between I-64 and Evansville Regional Airport. Every first Saturday, a good news club for those in first through fifth grades is available in a separate area. For more information, call 812-867-2418 or visit www.tripletchristianyouth.org. For your free copy of The Telling the Truth newsletter, call 812-867-2418, 812-867-2418 or write Triple T, 13,000 US-41 North, Evansville, Indiana 47725. Tune in to Telling the Truth next week at this same time on This Same Station. [MUSIC] (dramatic music)